POLITICS AS THEATER

After the Las Vegas Democratic debate, a debate that was hardly democratic, it seems we’re moving into a new phase of the campaign: politics as theater.

Act I began with a full cast of contenders: a leader, a comeback kid, a new guy, party stalwarts, and comedy relief. By the close of the act, lines had been drawn and characters had been more clearly defined.

Ac II opens with political commentators deciding who the front runner is, who has a real chance to catch her, and who might as well go home. But this play is at least partially improvised, and there’s no telling what the actors might say and how the audience might react.

Without trying to handicap the race, here’s my assessment of the candidates at the beginning of Act II, in no particular order:

CHRIS DODD has a crucial combination of legislative experience and a laser-sharp mind. If he were younger and thinner he’d be leading the pack.
JOE BIDEN has the best sense of humor but lacks a focused message.
HILLARY CLINTON benefits from Bill’s political machine, improves with each debate, but plays fast and loose with the facts, especially her claim to 35 years of devoted service. The only thing inevitable about her victory is that 2008 seems like a good time to finally elect someone who isn’t a white male.
BILL RICHARDSON is a great public servant but a poor public speaker. He would make a valuable presidential advisor.
JOHN EDWARDS is passionate, compassionate, sincere, and eloquent. He is hampered by a 2nd place aura.
BARACK OBAMA, despite his short tenure in national office, is deeply qualified for the office. A victory for him would be a victory against historical American prejudice. I am concerned, however, about his inability to give short, straight answers to simple questions.
DAVID CUCINICH, who started out asthe comedy relief, has become the soul of the Democratic debates. Even with the miniscule amount of time he is alloted by moderators, he speaks his mind with total disregard for consequences. He is too short, doesn’t have a presidential, aura and probably doesn’t have a chance, but his loss will be our loss.

The viability of the race is hampered by the media. They’re daily handicapping serves no purpose, other than to boost their own ratings, and is detrimental to the process. It seems to me their job is to report the news, not to create it. Still, I can't wait to get to Act III.

a foot on either side